Angela 2. David A. Bedford

to be associated with Hermes Oil on this joint venture. Both companies are committed to protecting the environment and the investors,” said Snow. “We have chosen the most cost-effective route. Some want all of Padre Island protected, which causes difficulties for business, drives up prices, and has a bad effect on employment. To the north we would face a forest of regulations in Corpus Christi and to the south we have Texas’ only federally protected coastline area. We are fortunate to have the enlightened, pro-business community of Sargasso Beach at the point of most direct access. They have assured us we will only need to work out a minor zoning change. The city stands to benefit from the significantly higher tax earnings and the many jobs that will be created. It is a win-win for everyone.”

      Angela put the newspaper back where she had found it. Her thoughts drifted to large mechanical cranes rising out of Oso Bay, backhoes clouding the water, birds shunning the area because the fish had left, oil spills spreading over the surface of the inlet, and on the horizon inland, the black nightmarish outline of a refinery with its towers, pipes, and floodlights, flushing pollutants into the water. People need the fuel and natural gas, thought Angela. Yes, but we also need protected natural areas where the Earth can breathe and life can grow, she countered herself.

      After P.E., Angela brought up the subject with Fiona and Benjie and told them about the news story.

      “They’re never satisfied,” said Benjie. “All they care about is making more money. But don’t we all pretty much want the same? We demand the right to keep on driving forever, and we reject anyone telling us we can’t have a big car with a bigger engine if want to!”

      Angela recognized that what he said was true, but it was no help in this case, on the contrary… Fiona was twisting her mouth, which meant she was thinking hard. At that moment Michaela walked up.

      Fiona said, “land values went up six or seven times where the refinery is going, just before the project was announced.”

      “How do you know all this stuff?” asked Benjie.

      “I read the newspaper. You see what will happen: people will no longer want the land around there. People who have land where the refinery will go will make a fortune. Those who live outside the refinery perimeter will want to move, but they won’t get buyers for their houses. So it makes money for some people, but it’s a disaster for others. Irene Snow won’t tell you that.”

      Angela felt overwhelmed. There was so much she did not know. A determination to do something to protect the nature preserve began to well up in her.

      “What I think,” contributed Michaela, talking for the first time, “is that people who care about money and not about beauty are very unhappy. I feel sorry for them!”

      When dance period arrived, Angela headed for detention with a sense of purpose which helped fill the emptiness she felt. First, she completed the written work that was due the next day and then asked to use the computer that was sitting on the table, the screen displaying a beautiful coral reef from under water, surrounded by gliding fish with garish colors. She went online and looked up “pipeline” and “wetlands”. Among a list of links appearing on the monitor was an article in the National Geographic. She clicked it and began reading, becoming so absorbed that she did not hear or see Petty come out of the office and stand behind her.

      “Just what are you doing?” barked Petty.

      Angela jumped. “Oh, hello Ms. Petty! I’ve finished my homework for tomorrow and I’m starting to research for my honors paper.”

      Petty stared at her, nostrils twitching and eyes narrowed. Angela felt her own eyes getting bigger, but she did not back down.

      “Ok, then,” Petty conceded. “Apparently detention is doing you some good. Just don’t let me catch you e-mailing anyone, doing games, or listening to music. Work and that’s all! Got it?”

      “Yes, Ms. Petty.”

      “All right, well…” Petty trailed off and then continued her way into the hall. Angela felt confused and guilty. She had told Petty two half-truths: she had not said that she had a lot of reading to do for the next day nor that an honors paper was not the real reason she had started researching pipelines and wetlands. On the other hand, Petty believed Angela only if it was something she couldn’t be punished for, otherwise the principal closed her ears and gave her detentions for lying. So, what’s the use? Angela knew she was right in her intentions, and that she was being punished for something she had not done, but still felt dissatisfied with herself. She turned again to the computer screen, opened a notebook, and began to take down information.